| Author | Message | ||
     Iman501 |
I know that harley has their version of the MFS course (not sure what they call it) Havent they used buell blast's in years past for this course?....what will they be using now?... | ||
| Froggy |
Buell Blasts. It's not like they will melt after a certain day  | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
Rider's Edge is the name of the course. Since the Buell brand name was dropped for the '10 model year, I guess they're using plain old Blasts. | ||
| Littlebuggles |
Who makes 'em? Oh, silly me, they won't need to continue their course since they are going back to their core values. Riding skills that go beyond straight line riding won't be necessary for the average rider. No offense to any of our dudes that can bring it, like Jerry Haughton, whether on a sport bike or HD. | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
AFAIK the non-Buell branded '10 Blasts were still manufactured in the East Troy plant. I doubt there will be any '11 Blast models produced, but I may be wrong. HD probably can't make money off of selling the Blasts, and it takes a LOT of Rider's Edge classes to make purchasing one worthwhile for the dealer. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I think, unless HD salvaged the machinery to produce the Blast, that the days of Rider's Edge are numbered. Then again, there are dealerships selling scooters. Maybe a whole troop of Honda Rebel 250s is in order. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
Once all the Blasts die, I would bet the dealers that invested a lot into the Riders Edge program will find another bike to use and continue to offer rider training..... or at least I hope they do... | ||
| Firebolt32 |
they won't need to continue their course since they are going back to their core values. Brandon H/D actually cut their program. At $300 a pop that call seemed pretty foolish to me. | ||
| Malott442 |
I hope they keep their program up. I still haven't figured out how to grow a huge beer belly and show it to the world while riding. | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
"I think, unless HD salvaged the machinery to produce the Blast, that the days of Rider's Edge are numbered." Nope. There's a replacement on the way. | ||
| Whatever |
I would go through your local community college... bound to be cheaper... they have basic and advanced... the advanced was pretty fun ... Look Here. http://www.msf-usa.org/ | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
back home the yamaha shop was at least a $100 cheaper than the harley shop was for the class | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
back home the yamaha shop was at least a $100 cheaper than the harley shop was for the class and I bet the class is 1 to 2 days shorter.... You tend to get more classroom and range time with Riders Edge | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
I donno really I took the military one because it was free and I still got the same MSF card | ||
| 99buellx1 |
So that automatically means the class was just as informative..... Not saying the course wasn't worthwhile, but courses vary GREATLY yet still meet the MSF requirements. I instruct Riders Edge, and really like the format. (minus the HD advertising sections) Ok, back to the Blast. Just because they aren't produced dosnt mean that dealers don't have enough to run their program successfully. Also, a dealer dosn't have to use Riders Edge as their class structure, so if they chose to just do an MSF format they can use any bike they want. | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
when I took the course at Milwaukee HD in 06, it went Wed-Fri nights in the classroom. Saturday was an entire 8hr class on the range, Sunday was a test day and was maybe 4 hrs. So we only had 12 hrs of range time. Monday night was our final test and we were done. 5 days total, 4 of which were 3-4 hrs long. | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
well seeing as how I do not plan to pay to take each class to compare them I would not know. I know It was 2 (7am to 3pm) whole days of classroom and 2 whole days on the range. I enjoyed it and the fact that it was a. free and b. got me out of work for 4 days was great to me, if I would have taken one off post it would have had to be on my own time. also the military one (at ft hood at least) offers either 3 or 4 different classes. they offer the basic course, the advanced riders, a sport bike course and I believe the offer an off road course too but I cannot remember. (Message edited by firebolt020283 on January 21, 2010) | ||
| Ceejay |
my neighbor took and "graduated from" the Riders Edge class here in cbus. She then went out and bought a shiny new 1200 sporty, rode it home, then rode it around the neighborhood, clipped a curb, ran it into the mailbox and dented the bike up pretty good. Courses may vary, just as the fancy degree holders do... I'd think the RE course was a pretty good money maker for each shop in all facets. | ||
| Guell |
Doesnt sound like she was ready to be on the street, riding a small blast compared to a 1200 sporty is a completely different experience. | ||
| Pkforbes87 |
I can't speak for all installations, but I've taken basic and advanced courses at Offutt AFB, and the sportbike course at Tinker AFB. All three were very good at teaching to their intended audiences. The advanced course was actually taught by electraglider1997 - a fellow bwb member. I'm with fbolt32.. Give me the chance to skip work in favor of riding motorcycles, AND charge me nothing? Yes please. | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
I had a friend of mine do something simular to that. He took the class then he bought a 1200 sportster custom from central tx H-D and he asked me and one other guy to go with him I rode my bike and they rode there in a car because he wanted me to follow him back to Killeen because he was nervous about riding that long of a distance on his new bike for the first time. well we get all the way to his house just fine then we hang out a bit and bs then I leave and he decided he would go to the gas station that was not far from his house so he rode there with me behind him until the gas station and i took off and went home well apparently when he was trying to turn on to he street he took the turn too wide and ran up one the curve and dropped it and dinged up his exhaust and broke his brake leaver and stuff. | ||
| Babired |
got to say my 2 cents I teach RE too the training is the same but RE is more hours. We have Road Book moments or reflections which gives the student a chance to journal what they just learned so you kind of get more breaks in RE just by doing them. The Blasts are liked or disliked bike they made it 492 cc so the new rider can ride a bigger bike after the class. I used to say "if you can ride a Blast then you are well on your way to riding almost anything." There are a lot of crashes though, chief says most of the crashes are instructor induced, the only way I see that is if the instructor rushes thru the first 3 exercises. It kind of gave me a sour taste after hearing him say that, blaming the instructor and not the bike. Because once the bike gets out of control it takes the student for a ride. | ||
| Paw |
Is there any other state other than PA that offers the MSF rider course for free to all residence...Well not 100% free all you need to do is get a learners permit if you are not licensed. I know there are some dealers in PA who do riders edge...And anyone in PA who goes to a dealer just wasted $300. | ||
| Babired |
Last time I saw the chief during a RE meeting we asked him what would happen after the 5 years left for the Blast. He said you can bet they are working on another training bike RE isn't going away. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
I have way more crashes in a Riders Edge Class vs the State Class. The state bikes a 1/2 the size... But.... I will say a higher % of people pass the Riders Edge Class than the state class. I think it may be because we spend more time with the students.... and the students payed way more $$$ to take the class so they may try harder. | ||
| Babired |
Yeah me too on the crashes. There are so many other thoughts on the subject just teaching for HD that is different than teaching at a college. In Maryland College and RE costs $300. to $350.00 and there are 2 MVA centers that still teach state and I think they are about $175.00 to $200.00 for the BRC | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
I gotta say, the individual attention each of us received was outstanding. There was a HD employee taking the course (they're told to get their license by corporate), she was a basket case. They made extra time for her and got her through. | ||
| Rainman |
I like to teach the RE class because, while the on-range course is the same as the state MSF, there is a lot more information and classroom activity inside. Plus, wannabes get to take the class in an environment of other riders and bikes. The biggest problem is people who aren't ready for a 1200 sportster -- which is not a small bike or a good beginners bike -- buying one and wrecking. Happens. Convinced two weaker students to buy Blasts rather than Sportsters. They proved successful and moved up to a CityX and a 1200 Sporty. The Blast is a good first bike. It goes 80, it's amazingly agile and, with plastic bodywork, very forgiving. I hope they come out with something similar to replace it. | ||
| Babired |
That's good learning for a dealership employee to take the class they can help explain first hand what it is like to go through the class. When a shop employee comes into my class I give them as much help as I can because they become a help to us for future students thinking about taking the class | ||
| Rainman |
As far as crashes, I see about the same amount on the Blast as on the Rebels, etc. I take more time on the first three exercises, especially with the clutch on the Blast which is often more of a friction spot than zone, but I do the same in the state program. I don't know why, but it seems to help the students relax when they see me ride up on my stock Blast laden with luggage and I tell them it's one bike that will do everything they want it to. |
